Harry walked through the Forbidden Forest to face his imminent death. He took out the Snitch that Dumbledore had left him, and pressing it to his lips, whispered, "I am about to die."

The metal shell broke, and the black stone-the Resurrection Stone-fell into his hand.

He closed his eyes and turned the stone thrice in his hand.

As he opened his eyes again, he saw the people who had loved him best, and had died for him, standing in front of him-neither flesh nor ghost, each wearing the same loving smile-Remus, Sirius, Lily and James.

They had fought the world together and died for their cause.

They were friends whose friendship had stood the test of both time and death.

They were the ghosts of the past, walking the earth again, even Death having failed to prise them apart.